The Ilemi region has been described as a ‘Triangle’ located where Kenya, South Sudan and Ethiopia interface with each other. Ilemi has been a bloody battlefield for ethnic communities living in and straddling the borders of the three countries in this area.[1] The inter-ethnic relationships of these communities have been affected by protracted conflicts which go back many years. Besides, there are century old contentious territorial claims about which country does the Ilemi Triangle belong to. The Ilemi Triangle measures over 14,000 square kilometers approximately [2](About the size of Northern Ireland). The conflict in the Ilemi has been frequently linked to issues of access to pasture and water. However, the causes and persistence of the conflict are much more variable and complex.

One of the conflict zones where Shalom-SCCRR works continuously

For
communities living in the Ilemi Triangle, it is difficult to determine the
extent to which international boundaries really matter for their daily lives;
grass and water no matter where located takes precedence for both their
survival and that of their livestock.

Communities living along the borders are Dassanech and Nyangatom in Ethiopia, Turkana in Kenya and Toposa in South Sudan. These communities have traditionally practiced nomadic pastoralism; moving across borders in search of basic human needs resources for themselves and their livestock.

Scarcity
of grass and water triggered by climatic changes and increasing human and
livestock population undoubtedly acts as catalysts for violent conflicts
because competition sets in. Most conflicts turn out to be gruesome resulting
in deaths, injuries and destruction of property and infrastructure.

In
the month of February Shalom-SCCRR conducted conflict pre-assessment meetings
with cross-border communities of Kenya and Ethiopia. These activities were
informed by the emerging conflict issues and dynamics tracked over the past two
years – years marked by relative calm. Communities which participated in the
conflict pre-assessment were from Todonyang’, Kokuro and Kibish in Kenya, and
Koro, Emomeri and Kang’ten in Ethiopia. The following are the conflict issues
and dynamics established during the pre-assessment excercise:

Increase in the number
of sophisticated guns and other weaponry held illegally and used by
cross-border communities;

Frequent
inter-communal violent conflicts with high number of deaths and injuries
reported when compared to previous years;

Conflict over fishing
points in Lake Turkana between Turkana and Dassanech of Ethiopia;

Reduced fish
population and water volume in River Omo and Lake Turkana – which is seen as an
effect of recently constructed Gilgel Gibe III Dam in Ethiopia. Ethnic communities
living in Southern Ethiopia and North West Kenya have protested against
construction of the dam because it interferes with their livelihoods as well as
the ecology;

Limited freedom of
movement due to heightened tension and fear of attacks;

Diminishing
grazing areas and water points especially for Dassanech–affected by irrigation
schemes established by the government of Ethiopia;

Curtailment of mobility of the pastoralists as a way of
keeping them away from emerging “private lands” and “farming schemes,” thus,
forcing them to sedentarism with no alternative livelihoods which generates
population issues in reduced space;

Shrinking and low-quality
grass fields as an effect of climate change and environmental degradation
(reduced rain and increasing temperature);

Increased poverty
as a result of frequent raids, lack of stable settlements and prolonged droughts;

Disregard for
traditional mechanisms for conflict management and resolution;

Growing feeling of
structural exclusion from the state;

A virtually total
shift from traditional livestock raiding to banditry; executed by youth from
the cross-border communities;

Killing of women
and children during raids who culturally
were previously not targets.

The
protraction of conflicts has seriously impacted on socio-economic status of the
people. Notwithstanding all the
hallmarks of marginalization obvious in the “Triangle,” the existing scant
number of schools, hospitals and markets in the area has been adversely
affected. Discussions with the people established a
general feeling of despair and lack of alternatives to indicate hope and
deliverance from this quagmire.

Francis Ng’akinei from Turkana (left) narrates to Shalom-SCCRR’s Paulson Erot, MA, about an occurrence of violent conflict on Lake Turkana between some of his community members and the Dassanech; during the episode, two of his fishing mates were killed and seven injured. Four bullets were lodged in him: two in the back, one in the leg, and one in the foot.

From
the interviews with women, it was established that most of them had between 5–8
children. This a reflection of the population composition in terms of age categories.
According to Turkana County statistics of two years ago, unemployment stood at
70%, most of the unemployed being youth. Similar situations are observable
among pastoralist cross-border communities.

The
extremely challenged communities of Ilemi triangle require a multi-faceted approach
if any substantial socio-economic and even political change is to be realized.
To intervene Shalom applies both peacebuilding and development approaches.
Shalom has provided material help to schools like Todonyang’ Integrated Centre
that supports inter-ethnic learning of Turkana and Dassanech from Southern
Ethiopia. Shalom has also supported Napak
and Koyasa primary Schools located along the Kenya-South Sudan border.

Through
participatory research and conflict assessments, Shalom has established gaps in
terms of skills to transform and resolve conflicts by the cross-border
communities. Relevant skills are required to deal with conflicts that are
globally driven and that have become complex with the availability of
technology used negatively, and by the access to sophisticated weapons which
are illegally acquired by civilians easily.

The
second important point to note: most schools at the cross-border have not
incorporated peace education in their programs. Peace education offers an
opportunity to inculcate a culture of peace in students for present and future
needs. Peace education in schools has positive impact at community levels also
in terms of understanding the causes of conflict towards transforming
relationships. These are lessons evidentially learned in Morijo and other
Shalom projects intervention locations across Kenya’s Samburu County.

Even
as the States surrounding the Ilemi Triangle work towards integrating their
peace and security policies, there is a compelling need to continue building
and strengthening capacities of individuals and communities in conflict
prevention, management and transformation ultimately leading to settlement and
resolution epitomized in reconciliation.

Shalom-SCCRR
acknowledges also the value of local knowledge and traditional conflict
management mechanisms. Therefore, Shalom’s approach is not just meant to build,
but also to empower and strengthen capacities of individuals and communities.

Without
help of the donors and friends these targets and goals cannot be realized to an
optimum standard. Shalom appreciates their generous support because directly or
indirectly they are protecting and saving lives and enabling better future for
the people living in and around Ilemi Triangle through peacebuilding and
education.